Imperial Beach delays Sports Park decision

Imperial Beach residents applauded a City Council decision Wednesday to postpone a decision on a potential agreement with the YMCA to take over operations and management of the city Sports Park.

“We actually got what we were asking for,” Imperial Beach resident Candy Unger said. “We just want to go back to the table, we want to be heard. We want the community’s options to be listened to and considered.”

About a year ago, the city staff began looking at options to have an outside agency take over operations and improve recreational services at significantly lower costs because the city could no longer afford it. After reviewing three proposals, the city staff chose the YMCA.

For the last several months, residents have opposed the city manager’s recommendation, citing a lack of transparency and community input in the request for proposal process, privatization, cost, field access and other things.

The amount of opposition led the city manager to hold a workshop in April. It did not go well.

Fingers were pointed and disdain spewed. Resident after resident expressed anger and disappointment in the way the city went about the proposal process, saying it wasn’t open to public scrutiny.

Some residents were also concerned about the Y’s financial stability, especially with the YMCA in Riverside filing for bankruptcy.

Lisa Johnson, associate executive director of the South Bay YMCA said Thursday in a phone interview that such financial problems would not occur in San Diego County.

“We are very well organized,” she said. “We are completely debt free. We have a tremendous amount of financial stability. That’s what gives us the opportunity to give back to the community.”

An agreement with the YMCA would mean the city would pay the organization $50,000 a year and $10,000 every 12 months through June 30, 2015. In addition, the city would make various improvements to facilities, amounting to about $165,000.

Staff says the agreement would save the city up to $150,000 annually in operating costs.

For six weeks, Unger and about 70 other residents and community stakeholders met to discuss viable alternatives. A proposal with three options was given to city staff to consider.

Unger said a partnership with residents and local stakeholders would save the city even more.

“What we’re offering, what the Boys & Girls Club has asked for is $50,000 from the city,” she said. “The community group has said we’re going give you back you’re money. We’re going fundraise.”

On the agenda Wednesday was a recommendation from the staff to council members to consider several major points to an agreement, revised from the YMCA’s initial proposal. They include a lower cost, opportunity to partner with local organizations, responses to questions raised at the workshop, financial assistance and other concessions.

City Manager Gary Brown didn’t get far into the details when council members suggested they instead hear from the community.

Several citizens opposed the agreement with the YMCA during public comment and nearly 900 petitions were signed by residents who favor working instead with Imperial Beach Little League and the Boys & Girls Club.

It was enough to delay a vote for now.

Council members said the wedge between city officials and citizens needs to be removed.

“It’s deteriorated into an ‘us against them’ mentality and that’s not how this should be,” Mayor Pro Tem Lorie Bragg said. “We’re all in this together.”

Councilman Ed Spriggs supported having two council members meet with the community group during the next three weeks.

“The only way that we can get this back on track is to look at this proposal,” Spriggs said. “I’m not sure what kind of shape it’s in … but we have to work with them … I just don’t see any other way than working with the coalition that’s been formed.”

Councilmen Bob Patton and Brian Bilbray volunteered to streamline ideas to get closer to a solution.

Unger said in the meantime, she hopes staff and council remain open-minded.

“If we don’t win, if the YMCA deal is better in the end, we’re for it, we’ll still help fundraise,” Unger said. “I have no problem with that whatsoever.”

Johnson said the YMCA wants what’s best for the community.

“Change is hard for people and we understand that,” Johnson said. “But we stand behind our proposal. We’d still be more than happy to serve the residents of Imperial Beach.”